How do you describe musician Denis DiBlasio? Perhaps best by stating he is coming to Utica
When an individual has achieved equal notoriety as a musical performer and a music educator, how do you refer to that individual? Is he a performer who teaches or an educator who performs?
Perhaps the best term to apply to Denis DiBlasio is one that was first used by, of all people, Walt Disney: Denis DiBlasio is an edutainer.
DiBlasio received his master’s degree from the University of Miami and is currently the executive director of the Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz and full professor and director of the Jazz Performance and Composition Programs at Rowan University.
As a performer he is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, flautist, composer, arranger, and vocalist who spent many years playing and touring with the legendary Maynard Ferguson.
And now he’s coming to Utica.
On Friday, Nov. 10, Denis will be appearing as part of the Jazz at The Other Side series for an 8 p.m. show featuring Jimmy Johns, drums; Tom Brigandi, bass; Dan Pugh, piano; and Mike Dubaniewicz on sax.
Seats for the show, which are $20 and $10 for students, can be reserved by calling 315-735-4825, emailing [email protected] or by stopping at Cafe Domenico. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
An acclaimed performer, clinician and educator for the Yamaha Music Corporation of America. DiBlasio is a published author of five texts on jazz improvisation and recording artist with 12 CDs under his own name.
Other Side Music Director Mike Dubaniewicz, is well familiar with DiBlasio, having performed with him a number of times.
“I became a fan of Denis DiBlasio in the mid 1980s, through his work with Maynard Ferguson’s band, specifically the album Live from San Francisco,” recalls Dubaniewicz. “I remember playing along with the music on the records and listening to Denis and this great band with my musician friends.
“Little did I know that one day I would join Maynard and play alongside Denis in this group when he rejoined Maynard for a tour in Thailand.”
“Playing alongside Denis was a big thrill for me as I was in awe of his playing when I was a kid, and I was struck by his energy as a performer when I shared the stage with him later on,” Mike adds. “He’s a true legend in jazz education, and the jazz world at large.”
Joining the veterans on stage will be Dan Pugh, a young musician from the Syracuse area who recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
“Dan has been honing his skills in Upstate NY by playing a lot in the area with many of CNY’s top players and his own great bands,” notes Dubaniewicz. “He’s an up-and-coming talent who will be one to watch in the near future.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Jazz artist/composer Denis DiBlasio to appear in Utica Nov. 10
